Manchester Street Shots. Pt 2; Reportage

Pins Exhibition Film

It's something of a Pins-extravaganza here on IDYSM this week as after yesterday's streetsnaps of the talented, sneaker loving London artist today it's time for the Premiere of a video I made all about him.
Shot at his solo exhibition on London's Dover St, Pins' work showcases a fascinating social commentary in bright pop art colouring, and his unique style is seeing him become hot property in the International art world.
We chatted about his work as he showed me some select pieces and also revealed some of his inspirations, including his lifelong passion for tea, donuts and Nike Air Max...the shoe 'with the beautiful bubble'.
Pour yourself a cuppa, snack on something sugary and put your feet up as I'll let Pins do all the talking from here...hit play.

Pins x Customised Nike Air Max 90; London

I always love to find people that use sneakers in different ways and I was delighted to find Pins on Instagram last year (see his work here).  You may remember his ‘In Their Shoes’ interview from 2013 (see here), and while I was in London we arranged to hook up with the artist whose sugary sweet, pop art work is taking the art world by storm.

Pins’s incredible creations are gathering so much attention that he’s being billed as ‘the next Banksy’ and we caught up at his incredible recent exhibition (more about that to come about that tomorrow in a short film), where he was kind enough to pose for a few shots showing off his approach to street style.

Nike Air Max play a huge part in Pins’ life, it’s a shoe that he considers to be intrinsically London and as well as appearing in countless pieces of his work, he also uses the shoes as a canvas too.

As you can see, he’s peppered these all black Air Max 90's with his trademark sugar sprinkles, a colourful signature that’s also evident on his caps, iPhone cases and amazing art pieces too.

Consider this as something of a sweet teaser as you’ll be able to hear more about Pins and his work in the upcoming film but for now, check out his super sweet kicks and check him out (here) his work as they say in London is…’sweet’

Tania, Nike Air Max Glow Pack; Sydney

Say hi to the uber talented and super lovely Tania.  Not content with being a PR whizz behind some amazing brands and campaigns, she's also the person behind the amazing Instagram series called 'The Writing' (@thewriting).  

Her immaculately presented and thoughtfully composed daily thought pieces are becoming an International sensation with the likes of The New York Times, Garance Dore, model Lara Bingle, Diddy and Marc Jacobs (amongst many, many others) all gushing over Tania's monochrome musings.

And it seem's that Tania's obsession with making bold monochrome statements also translates to her wardrobe too.

Dressed in black and white, her chic and clean outfit was punctuated with some bright white Nike Air Max from the 'Glow' Collection.  

The shoes also may look inconspicuous enough at first glance, but when you look again, there's more to them than meet's the eye as at night glow in the dark elements come alive.

Much like Tania's daily offerings on The Writing they may look simply chic and elegant at quick glance, when you look deeper there's something hidden within them.

Shoes that represent their owner; the writing's on the wall with this one.

VOR is art

When the German Premium shoe brand sent me some of their fantastic product, I was instantly impressed with the attention to detail.  The shoes are chic to look at, and fantastically made.  If you add to this the incredibly well thought out boxes that double as a display case it dawned on me that these are shoes to be enjoyed of works of art - so what would happen if they were displayed in an Art Gallery?

To test this, I displayed them in the Sydney Salerno Gallery, and the shoes hadn't been on display for long before an art loving customer was captivated by the shoes.  She had gone into the gallery to look at paintings, but the shoes were the thing that drew her attention.  And this is NOT a stunt, this is all genuine! 

A big thanks to the Salerno Gallery and VOR.

Music: Silence Await by CDR.

Carol; Sydney

As the whole point of IDYSM is to unearth the stories behind the shoes, over the years I have been able to often get a sense of a subject’s story before talking.  I have learnt to pick up on signs from their shoe choices, while look and behaviour can also start to paint a picture, but in the case of Carol's story when I first saw her all I could see was a blank canvas.

Well, you may have realised from the less than subtle puns above that Carol is an artist.  She spends a lot of time on her feet creating works of art, but these days it’s not easy for her as a skiing accident has meant that her knees are gone, requiring her to wear shoes that can offer her as much comfort as possible.

As an artist style is an obvious consideration for her too, so Converse All Stars have become Carol's shoe of choice, straddling that line between function and form.  

While her chic look comprises of monochrome and grey's (Carol is addicted to greys apparently) and her footwear choices abide by this strict code too, she balances this with an array of colourful artwork.

A big thanks to Carol, not only for stopping and chatting but also for showing that sneaker culture involves everyone, everywhere!

Michelle; Sydney

One of the quickest meet's I've ever had, this was something of a speed interview as Michelle didn't have much time to chat.
What I did learn is that she seeks colour, and always wears bright and colourful outfits and in these Vans found a shoe that represents her colourful outlook on life.
Originally from Ireland she picked the shoes up in Sydney, and feels they represent something of Sydney in their bright, cheery appearance.
That is all she could add, but I found the colour co-ordination interesting.  Seems like a lot of effort went into finding, then wearing this top/shoe combo, so am guessing Michelle spends more time shopping than she does chatting.

In Their Shoes; Pins

I became something of an Instagram junkie last year (@mrlesterjones if you're interested), and it was on there that I found someone doing something really interesting with kicks - a UK artist simply known as Pins.
His colourful spin on the art world has seen him using kicks as a canvas, making shoes even more of an art form than they already are.
He's a top bloke and he was kind enough to spare some time to take part in my latest 'In Their Shoes' interview as he talks about everything from donuts, kicks and more donuts...

IDYSM: Hey Pins, to get things started, please tell us a bit about yourself, and what you do.

PINS: Yes mate. I'm a London based Artist who loves tea, donuts and sneakers. I like to stretch my creativity through various means including Graphic Design, Fine Art, Surface Design, and dabble in Street Art. My philosophy is Progress, Inspire, Network and Succeed under you own terms, it’s also an acronym for PINS, pretty cool right! In addition to my creative work, I deliver creative therapy to various schools and youth centres across London, providing my expertise and knowledge for the benefit of young people to actively express themselves creatively.

The London Police Force Expressing their love of Pins' kicks

IDYSM: What’s the inspiration behind your work?

PINS: Everything and anything! To be more specific, my Mum, for my work ethic, Salvador Dali / Andy Warhol / Picasso as key influences, and my love of London, donuts, sneakers and tea.

IDYSM: How, when and why did you start to use kicks as a canvas to work on?

PINS: I started using kicks as a canvas for my designs back in 2005 when I was on my kicks customisation hustle. After a couple years customising for other people, I switched it up, and decided I’d only design onto shoes for collectible / art purposes as oppose to wearing them, as I found a big chunk of the hardcore sneakerheads hardly wore any of there dopest kicks and just collected them, similar to art collectors, so wanted to represent kicks on a more artistic platform.

IDYSM: What shoes are your chosen canvas and why?

PINS: Nike Air Max ones’ mainly, a couple years ago, as they meant more to me than just a shoe. They were more like a work of art, on an aesthetic level, just so clean and so London.

IDYSM: How do the purists take to what you do – do they see your Pop Art meets Surrealism style enhancing silhouettes that they already see as a work of art?

PINS: Possibly, but then I only really create what I think is dope, if people like it, cool, if not, oh well.

IDYSM: Your involvement with the sneaker scene goes way beyond art – what is Crepe City? (and where did the name come from?) 

PINS: Crepe City, nothing to do with them delishhh sweet pancakes, (although the ‘sweet factor’ is similar) as in ‘Crepe’ meaning fresh kicks, more a London thing, like ‘them some fresh crepes right there bruv’, exists to support the UK sneaker community.

The main members of the CC unit are Ronal, Paul, Victor and Kade, proper nice guys! They’ve run six festivals since 2008 which has continued to grow year on year attracting the best collectors and most exclusive shoes...it’s been great being with them from the early stages and seeing the progression! Check out their site for more info: http://www.crepe-city.co.uk/

IDYSM: Where is the sneaker scene at in London for you right now?

PINS: At a real healthy place! It’s almost like London is catching up with sneaker hype similar to the US, can only get bigger!

IDYSM: Surely Nike and other brands are banging down your door to work on a collab together?

PINS: All I can say to that is, you cant rush a dope thing…

IDYSM: Where do you go from here, what does the future hold?

PINS: Well, I’ve got a list which seems to grow on a daily basis of things to do, ideas to knock out etc etc, so will continue putting out as much creative content as possible and see where that takes me…no plan, just BLAM!

IDYSM: If you had to give one up what would it be; Krispy Kreme or kicks?

PINS:  Krispy Kreme…without Kicks, I can’t breathe (Air Max)

IDYSM: And, I have to ask…what’s on your feet right now?

PINS: Some fresh white, Primani socks…but if you mean what kicks did I just have on…INFRARED AIR MAX 90s!

A huge thanks to Pins for his time, his words and his images.  To check out more of Pins' amazing work go to www.pinspired.com, and follow him on Instagram @PINS_ARTIST

In Their Shoes; Farouq Samnani

Part of my motivation for starting I Dig Your Sole Man was to try and treat sneakers as cherished items and modern day art pieces in their own right.  I'm always interested to meet and chat with other people who try to seek art within this fascinating sub-culture too, so was delighted when  Vancouver based artist Farouq Samnani gave up some time to talk about his fascinating background, incredible artwork and his passion for the past, present and future of the sneaker game.

IDYSM: Hey Farouq, thanks for your time.  First up, please tell us a bit about yourself.

Farouq: My pleasure! and excited to be a part of this. I’m an art director, visual designer and illustrator currently based in a unique neighbourhood of Vancouver called Gastown. My parents are originally from East Africa, they fled Uganda during Idi Amin’s coup of 1971 and made their way to Kenya, where I was born. Soon After, my family left Africa for the U.K. then eventually settled in Canada, which has been our home now for 30 years. I’m very fortunate that I get to do what I do, I never take it for granted and I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my work with you.

IDYSM: So you’re very much an observer of street style, what’s your involvement with the sneaker world?

Farouq: Yes, I’m definitely an observer. However, I believe my affinity for street style and aesthetic goes beyond just that, it has become a part of who I am. It influences what I create in my work, my personal style and tastes, the music I listen to, and even the neighbourhood I’ve chosen to live in. For me, street culture is a lifestyle and has given rise to some of the most popular trends in fashion, music and art the world has ever seen. There’s such an authentic and unique characteristic of street inspired fashion and in particular, the sneakers, which I’m a big fan of. I’ve been intrigued by sneaker collaborations that have become tremendously popular over the past decade, especially the Jeremy Scott and Adidas tribute to one of my favourite artists, Keith Haring. This is something I’d love to do in the future and I hope that the “Back In The Days” project (see here) will be the jump-off to this.

IDYSM: Yes, as a fan of street culture and street photography 'Back in the Days' to me is an iconic project that documents an amazing period of New York life back in the day, now some 30 years later you've been inspired by the book to make some sneaker art of your own - tell us about it.

Farouq: The idea came to me one day as I was flipping through the photo-book, “Back In The Days” by legendary photographer Jamel Shabazz, and listening to LL Cool J’s track “ I Need A Beat” from his debut album “Radio”. It was a moment of nostalgia and it reminded me of how I felt when I first saw the 1984 film “Breakin”. It was my first impression of hip hop culture as a little kid. I was fascinated with Jamel Shabazz’s photo of the sneaker display and I immediately prepped my drawing table and began to illustrate one sneaker at a time.

During this process, I started incorporating different elements from the book, included some pioneers of hip hop music in graffiti style, and soon enough, the final artwork became a tribute piece to hip hop and sneaker culture.  I was compelled to share what I’d created and more importantly, I wanted to tell a story. My technical background enabled me to develop a platform and produce a multimedia experience to present this artwork. I acquired the help of a friend and talented director, Theo Kim, and reached out to New York beatsmith, Falside, to collaborate on the video component of the project. Finally, I got the stamp of approval from the legend himself (Jamel) and “Back In The Days” project was born.

IDYSM: How important was both this era, and photography legend Jamel Shabazz’s work in documenting it?

Farouq: This was an epic time, an urban renaissance so to speak. 80’s Brooklyn was synonymous for street style, nothing like it had ever been seen before and now you see it everywhere. On the catwalks of Paris, the various hip hop collaborations, to the most prestigious galleries showcasing the work of street artists. There’s not one aspect of popular culture that hip hop hasn’t permeated. Jamel Shabazz’s photography of this era was invaluable in not only documenting the history, but he also helped the hip hop movement become a global community.

IDYSM: While most sneaker lovers would appreciate that this defining New York era was pivotal in the scene’s history, do you have a respect and appreciation for this era more than any others?

Farouq: The endorsement deal between Run D.M.C. and Adidas, soon after they released their ’86 single “My Adidas”, was the first of its kind between hip hop artists and a major corporation. This was an extremely pivotal moment that made popular and really paved the way for today’s sneaker culture. I believe it’s always important to respect the past in order to grow and move forward into the future and as long as the brands, the artists, the designers, and the consumers honour this, the product will always be dope and innovative.

IDYSM: And where will the current era sit for you in eons of sneaker history?

Farouq: I’m still soaking it all in. At times I can barely keep up with all the new styles, the one off releases, the different collaborations and the blogs. It’s an exciting time and the growth of the industry has been exponential. This era, for me, will be defined by the artist collaborations that have given the sneakers a collectable appeal for the consumers. Last year’s collaboration between Jeff Staple and S.L.A.T.E. for the PROJECT/Reed installation in Las Vegas was a great tribute to how far the sneaker and street wear culture has come.

IDYSM: We’ve spoken about your passion for shoes as an artist, how does it also affect you as a consumer?

Farouq: As an artist, I’m very particular about what I produce and it’s no different for me as a consumer. I appreciate a lot of styles but I’m loyal to a few brands and I generally stick with a few looks.  I definitely don’t have a closet full of kicks, my collection is modest.

IDYSM: Where do you own tastes fit in with your passion for the past – what type of styles do you rock?

Farouq: My style is subtle, never been too loud. I’ll usually bounce from Common Projects Winter Black and White, to the Adidas Campus All-White or rock the classic chucks. I’ll even throw in the occasional Adidas x Ransom Valley Hi Tan Cardinal for the summer.

IDYSM: What does the future hold for your work?

Farouq: This platform has allowed me to convey to a greater audience how serious and passionate I am about my craft. The far reaches of this project is something I didn’t expect and I’m very proud of. I’m blessed. At the end of the day, I’m inspired by everything I see happening in the industry, the new brands, the product, the designs, the artists, the culture is rumbling. From inception, this entire process has been incredible, from the musical contribution by Falside for the video, to Jamel Shabazz’s endorsement of the project, which ultimately linked the two of us together. This is an organic aspect in a new era of collaboration that I genuinely love. I’m excited about the future and I look forward to creating dynamic and innovative work with interesting and talented people from around the world.

IDYSM: And, I always like to end my interviews with this question…what’s on your feet right now?

Farouq: Chucks homie.

* A huge thanks to Farouq for taking part in the interview, the images above come courtesy of him.

Futura; Melbourne

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to Melbourne to spend some time with an iconic figure.  

A man whose unique art has captivated streets around the world for decades, and a man whose artistic flair has also seen him conquer the sneaker and streetwear worlds too.  Of course, it's the one and only Futura.

In Melbourne as part of the Hennessy x Futura Limited Edition collab that has seen the world leading cognac company partner with this graffiti figurehead, Futura was in town to celebrate the release of his personally designed limited edition bottle with street art walks, signings and a party.

I'm in the process of putting together a video about the day, but in the meantime here are some stills of the great man who was rocking classic All Stars through his trip, a shoe picked up in Moscow during a recent visit.  His last visit there was in 1984 and the shoe reminds him of the trip and the place so was a sentimental reminder of yesteryear for an artist who has always been known for looking to the Future.

Very Masa; Hong Kong

So welcome to the start of IDYSM's first Hong Kong season.  I'll be sharing stories of some of the fascinating sights and amazing people I was lucky enough to meet during my time in this fantastic city, and it seems only fitting that I start things off with a new friend, someone I am hugely grateful to for making my trip as enjoyable as it was.

Masa is a multi-talented designer based in Hong Kong.  His work covers many mediums, and if his rich array of talents are not enough, he's one of the nicest, kindest peeps I have met.

He asked to remain somewhat anonymous in this article and let his kicks take the limelight, a role his NB HS77's are more than capable of fulfilling.

The shoes were initially dropped as part of the 2011 'Past, Present and Future' collab pack from New Balance and the Singaporean sneaker store Leftfoot.  The HS77 silhouette represented the 'future' component of the pack,  and was considered such a hit that the style was given a general release which is when Masa picked up these kicks that mix style and comfort, something important when on his feet all day.

A huge sincere thanks to Masa for all the hook ups, local knowledge and for his time hanging out with me, and I hope the future is bright for both him and his fantastic kicks and you can check out his world here. 

Outpost Reminder; Sydney

If you haven't checked out the Sydney Outpost Festival yet you really REALLY should!  I ran a post on the event a few weeks ago (see here) and if you're in the mood for some of the meanest, moodiest and most amazing contemporary street art Australia has seen then this is the event for you.  It only runs until the 11th Dec (this Sunday) so do yourself a favor and check it out.

Outpost 11; Sydney

The Street Art world has descended on Sydney never before with the 2011 Outpost Art Exhibition.  The gritty industrial surroundings of the Harbour Island 'Cockatoo Island' are fascinating enough at the best of times, but now, the world's leading names in street art have been invited to give the place a new look, and it doesn't disappoint!
The island has been transformed into a street art paradise awash with colour and innovation that I would recommend to anyone.
The exhibition runs until 11th December and I urge you to hop on a ferry over the coming weeks to check out the event that in addition to great art also has pop up bars, DJs, demos, interactive displays (including ping pong) and more.
For more info, check out the Official Outpost Site.